The City of Clarkston recently acquired a tool aimed at reducing speeds on local roads ? speed gauge trailers.
A speed gauge trailer posts drivers? speeds in plain view while at the same time posting the speed limit. The equipment is nothing new for most drivers, but a useful resource for the police.
Police Chief Ernest Combs said he wanted to add one to the department’s arsenal for a while, but the cost for a new model was not within budget.
However, the department was able to acquired the speed trailer at no cost from a source connected to the department. Combs believes the equipment will be an asset.
‘You would be surprised at the number of brake lights,? Combs said. ‘It makes them (the drivers) aware of the fact. Most drivers don’t speed intentionally.?
The trailer is still being tested by officeres, but once cleared will be on the roadways day and night. In addition to posting a drivers? speeds, the equipment can also keep a record of all speeds recorded. The equipment runs on a battery which charges similar to a car battery.
The Independence Township substation of the Oakland County Sheriff’s Department has two such instruments, which are owned by the township.
‘It’s a real deterrent for slowing them down,? said Lt. Dale LaBair.
One of them can be used to record traffic data while in the streets, creating pages of organized information used by the department. The machine can be set to record speed averages in 15 minute increments, minimums and maximum speeds and traffic counts.
?(This is) money well spent, I think the township has gotten some good use out of it,? LaBair said.
The township paid roughly $33,000 to get the machines, the first in 2000 and the second three years later.
The first piece of equipment is nearly half the size of the newer component and strictly displays speeds. However, the second speed monitoring device can also be used as a message board to alert drivers to changing road conditions or to inform drivers to buckle their seatbelts.
‘They’re a nice tool, we’ve gotten a lot of compliments,? LaBair added.
LaBair said residents can request the use of the machines in their area if they feel there is a traffic problem of some kind, they just have to contact the station.
The Oakland County Sheriff’s Department Independence Township substation can be reached at 248-620-4968.